A Cartridge for a Vapour Generating Device

Abstract

A cartridge (10, 72) for a vapour generating device (100) comprises an inductively heatable susceptor (54) and a porous liquid transfer element (56) configured to convey vapour generating liquid to the inductively heatable susceptor (54). The porous liquid transfer element (56) has a longitudinal axis (57) and includes a recess (60) accommodating at least part of the inductively heatable susceptor (54). The recess (60) includes a support surface (80) which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (57) to support at least part of the inductively heatable susceptor (54).

1 . A cartridge ( 10 ,  72 ) for a vapour generating device ( 100 ), the cartridge comprising:
 an inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ); and   a porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) configured to convey vapour generating liquid to the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ), the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 57 ) and including a recess ( 60 ) accommodating at least part of the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ), the recess ( 60 ) including a support surface ( 80 ) which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis ( 57 ) to support at least part of the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ).   
     
     
         2 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the inclined support surface ( 80 ) tapers away from the longitudinal axis ( 57 ) of the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) and defines an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis or wherein the inclined support surface ( 80 ) tapers towards the longitudinal axis ( 57 ) of the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) and defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ( 57 ). 
     
     
         3 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the inclined support surface ( 80 ) is substantially frusto-conical and the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) has a corresponding substantially frusto-conical shape or wherein the inclined support surface ( 80 ) is substantially frusto-pyramidal and the inductively heatable susceptor ( 80 ) has a corresponding substantially frusto-pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         4 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, further comprising a liquid store ( 24 ) for storing vapour generating liquid, wherein the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) is configured to convey vapour generating liquid from the liquid store ( 24 ) to the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) and the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) includes an outer surface ( 58 ) exposed to an inner space of the liquid store ( 24 ). 
     
     
         5 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) includes at least one first interference fit element ( 82 ) and the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) includes at least one second interference fit element ( 84 ) which cooperates with the at least one first interference fit element ( 82 ), preferably wherein the first and second interference fit elements ( 82 ,  84 ) provide a mechanical snap-fit connection between the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) and the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ). 
     
     
         6 . A cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second interference fit elements ( 82 ,  84 ) define a camming profile ( 86 ) in a first direction to facilitate positioning of the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) on the inclined support surface ( 80 ) of the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ). 
     
     
         7 . A cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second interference fit elements ( 82 ,  84 ) define a non-camming locking profile ( 88 ) in a second direction opposite to the first direction to impede removal of the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) from the inclined support surface ( 80 ). 
     
     
         8 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) defines an airflow channel ( 62 ) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis ( 57 ), preferably wherein the airflow channel ( 62 ) defines a substantially cylindrical vaporization chamber ( 64 ). 
     
     
         9 . A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) includes an inner circumferential edge ( 54   a ) and one or more locating elements ( 90 ) which extend from the inner circumferential edge ( 54   a ) into the airflow channel ( 62 ) to locate the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) on the inclined support surface ( 80 ). 
     
     
         10 . A cartridge according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more locating elements ( 90 ) include at least one first interference fit element ( 92 ) and the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) includes at least one second interference fit element ( 94 ) in the airflow channel ( 62 ) which cooperates with the at least one first interference fit element ( 92 ), preferably wherein the first and second interference fit elements ( 92 ,  94 ) provide a mechanical snap-fit connection between the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) and the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ). 
     
     
         11 . A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) is substantially tubular and positioned inside the airflow channel ( 62 ) to extend in the longitudinal direction along an inner surface ( 78 ) of the airflow channel ( 62 ). 
     
     
         12 . A cartridge according to  claim 11 , wherein the substantially tubular inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) includes retaining elements ( 74 ) at one or both longitudinal ends thereof, the retaining elements ( 74 ) extend outwardly and are supported by the inclined support surface ( 80 ) of the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ). 
     
     
         13 . A cartridge according to any of  claims 8  to  12 , wherein the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ), the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) and the airflow channel ( 62 ) are all arranged in coaxial alignment about the longitudinal axis ( 57 ). 
     
     
         14 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the inductively heatable susceptor ( 54 ) is fluid-permeable. 
     
     
         15 . A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the porous liquid transfer element ( 56 ) comprises a capillary material, preferably wherein the capillary material comprises a porous ceramic material.